Pocket-camera.



F. HEATH.

POCKET CAMERA.

APPLICATION FILED DEC.2I. I9I4.

Patented Oct. 30, 1917.

F. HEATH.

POCKET CAMERA.

APPLlcATIoN FILED DEc.21, |914.

1,244,851. Patented 06'.. 30, 19W.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

F. HEATH.

POCKET CAMERA.

APPLICAT'ION mso nmzl. 19H.

Patented Oct. 30, 1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

F. HEATH.

POCKET CAMERA.

- APPLICATION FILED 050.21.1914.

1,244,851. Patented oet. 30,1917,

FRANK HEATH, OF NATIONAL CITY, CALIFORNIA.

POCKET-CAMERA.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 30, 191 *7.

Application filed December 21, 1914. Serial No. 878,230.

T0 all whom it may concern:

Be it lmown that I, FRANK HEATH, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of National City, inthe county of San Diego and State of California,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pocket- Cameras, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to pocket cameras which are 'adapted to be folded up when not in use so as to be carried in the pocket and hasnspecial reference to improvements upon my patent of April 10, 1906, No. 817243, my patent of April 10, 19.06, No. 817244:, and my patent of April l0, 1906, No. 817245, all for pocket cameras.

The primary object of this invention is to improve the structures set forth in the above mentioned patents as follows: first, to provide a camera of this class with a new means of access to the interior thereof and integral with bellows or cover so that said bellows may be folded into a very compact form; second, to provide a lens regulator that is more eiiicient for holding the lens in certain relativel position to the film holder; third, to provide a new means of marking the film so as to readily detect the portion of the film not exposed; fourth, to provide a new and additional film support.

With these and other objects in view as will appear hereinafter, my invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter described in detail and particularly' set forth in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the characters of reference thereon which form a part of this specification, in which:

Figure 1 is a sectional view of my camera complete, Fig. 2 is a sectional view at right angles thereto, and showing by dotted lines the position ofthe lens support when the braces 10 are collapsed, Fig. 3 is an assembly view of the collapsible film holding mechanism of said camera, Fig. l is a side view with the cover removed of the lens control mechanism, Fig. 5 is a perspective view ofthe camera complete ready for operation, Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the same partially rfolded up, Fig. 7 is a perspective view ofthe saine in its folded position, Fig. 8 Ais a side and sectional view of a fragrrientary portion of the door and ts frame and Fig. 9 is an end view of the film marker.

Similar characters of reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The lens 1, lens support 2 and lens support control members 3 and 4 constitute the principal parts of the front portion of my camera7 the roll casings 5 and 6 and the parallel motion mechanism 7 constitute the principal parts of the rear end of my camera bellows portion 8, which is held in rigid position by means of the rigid braces 9 on one side and the removable braces 10 on the other side. These parts constitute the principal parts of my camera.

The lens 1 is of the ordinary or conventional type and may be any type desired. This lens l is secured to the support 2 by means of a screw portion screwed into a threaded piece 2' secured to said support. Rigidly secured to this support 2 are the gear racks l one on each side of the lens on the inner surface of said support 2. Engaging with these gear racks 4; are the small gears 3 which are revolubly mounted on the supports 2b which are rigidly secured to the plate 8a. Engaging with said gears 3 at an angle to the rack 4 are gear racks 3 which are mounted on the ends of levers 3d shown best in Fig. 4. The opposite ends of these levers 3d are pivotally connected to the eX- tended end of the braces 9. Rigidly secured some distance from the ends of these braces 9 and some distance from the pivotal mountings of the levers 8, are the gear rack arms 9a one on each side which are, provided with teeth 3f for the purpose of holding the frame rigid. Adjacent the arms 9a on the ends of these braces 9 is pivotally mounted the plate 3C which ties the ends of the braces 9 together and at each of its ends it is provided with a right angle extension which extends upwardly and connects with the plate 3 at their extended ends. This lens support mechanism it will be here noted is so constructed that when the braces 9 are moved relatively to the lens 1 the lens support 2 will not move so that it maintains a certain relative position to the film stretched across the rear end of the camera at all times. These braces 9 are secured to the roll casings 5 and 6 and the removable braces 10 are secured to the opposite side of the roll casing at one of their ends and their other ends engage with supports 10% These braces are for the. purpose of providing a frame for the bellows or cover of the camera and support the same when in position for use as 'shown in Fig. 5. ItwillY ,l e here noted that when the braces l0 are collapsed the lens support assumes the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2 it being pivoted on the extended ends of the plate 3 and held by pins 3g. These roll casings 5 and 6 are connected by parallel motion mechanism 7 which consists of the lazy tongs levers 7 joined by the rack casing` 7 b and collapsible by means of the racks 7C and the connection pinion 7d. The rack casing 7 J is always parallel with the roll casinos and it will be obvious that the casings are likewise always parallel whether the same are moved and collapse together or are distended as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. In the roll casing 5 near the upper edge thereof is provided a roller 5 which is pivoted at one of its ends and drops into a slot in the bearing at1its other end so that it may be raised and moved out which is shown by dotted lines in Fig. 3 for placing the film roll. In the roll casing 6 is provided a similar roll 6 which is pivotally mounted on an arm 6" which arm is pivotally mounted on a bearing 6C. This extended arm 6b allows the roller 6 to be moved outwardly as shown best by dotted lines in Fig. 3 of the drawing so that the end of the film may be placed in the film roll and then the roller 6 may be shifted back into its position as shown also in Fig. 2, the two positions of the roller being shown in said Fig. 3. Mounted on the ends of casings 5 and 6 are film supports 7 k and 7l which consists of a folded piece of metal provided with a slot between the two members thereof for the edges of the film to pass through when turning the tilm from the roll 5 to the roll 6. The film support 7l is a similar support but has only a short folded portion which is adapted to telescope over the support 7k when the collapsible portion 7 is collapsed. hese two supports 7l and 71 perform the double function of supporting the film between the -rolls and also of stilfening the frame when the collapsible portion is collapsed together. The back of the bellows folds itself readily to the collapsing movement of the roll casings. The bellows or covering of the camera 'consists of flexible material preferably coated leather and in one side is provided a door 8 which allows access to the interior of the camera. This door lis composed of the same material as the bellows or covering and hinges byy means of said material thus providing a door that is flexible and foldable the same as 'the covering or bellows itself. It is, however, provided along its front end and Itwo sides with metallic stiffening pieces which are placed at the corners of the` ycamera and do'vnot effect' the flexibilityV of the covering or bellows in folding the same and it is mounted on the side upon which the rigid braces 9 support said camera cover. In these braces are provided small catches 8 and the door is provided with holes 70 through the metallic sti flening portion and with pivotally mounted latches 8d adapted to engage with said catches 8, and hold said door tightly against tlic surface of the bellows or cover 8, making it light tight. It will be here noted that these braces 9 and the edges of the door S are so shaped that the door sets into the outer surface of the braces, thus facilitatin0F the tightness of the joints between the edges of the door and the outer surface of the brace. This is shown best in Fig. 8 of the drawings. The roll casings 5 and (S are metallic pieces which form rigid corners for the two sides of the camera while the two sides at right angles thereto are supported by telescopic members 7g, 7h, and 7i which telescope relatively to each other always supporting the bellows or cover and causing it to fold when it is folded together by collapsing the collapsible part 7. Mounted in the roll casing at the end of the roll; supporting the film for use, is a cutter which cuts the edge of the film by turning it from the outside, thus making a notch in the film so that it may be detected when turningI the roll. This is for the purpose of enabling the user to know that portion of the film which has been exposed. This cutter consists of a rod 5 provided with a notch there- 100 in a-nd with a hollow tube 5b secured to the roll casing mounted over the rod 5 which is also provided with a. notch conforming to the notch in the rod 5 and the edge of the film passes through this notch, but when the rod 5 is turned therein it shears the edge of the film inserted in the notch so that when said notch passes to the other side of the camera it can easily be detected by the use of a fecler. The lens is provided with a cover which is preferably made of the same material as the bellows and is adapted to fasten over the lens when the camera is folded as shown best in Fig. 7 of the drawings.

It is obvious that with this construction there is provided a pocket camera which may be folded up into a very compact form as shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings; that it may be telescoped together by means of the 120 collapsible frame mechanism at the rear thereof in one direction and the removable braces 10 removed and the front portion folded back against the rear portion as shownvbest in Fig. 6 of the drawing; that 126 the cutter for notching the edge of the film is simple of construction; that the lens control mechanism will keep the lens in certain relative position to -the frame of the camera at all times in its various folding positions; 139.

that the door being substantially as flexible as the cover and so constructed as to have tight vfitting oints at the edges provides an improved and efficient means for access to the interior of the camera.- v

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new andV desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. Ina folding camera the combination of a lens plate, a collapsible film holding mechanism, a pyramidal bellows composed of flexible material extending between said lens plate and film holding mechanism, a flexible door hinged integrally with said bellows for allowing access to the interior thereof.

2. In a folding camera the combination of a lens plate, a collapsible film holding mechanism, a pyramidal bellows composed of flexible material extending between said lens plate and film holding mechanism, a flexible door hinged integrally with said bellows for allowing access to the interior thereof and means for regulating said lens plate relatively to said film holding` mechanism automatic with the folding of said camera.

3. In a folding camera the combination with a lens plate and a collapsible film holding mechanism spaced` apart from each other of a bellows composed of flexible material connecting said lens plate with said film holding mechanism, and a door composed of flexible material integral at one side with said bellows for providing access to the interior of said bellows.

4. In a folding camera the combination with a lens plate and a collapsible film holding mechanism spaced apart from said lens plate of a bellows composed of flexible material connecting said lens plate with said film holding mechanism, a door composed of flexible material integral at one side with said bellows and means connecting said door with said bellows when closed.

5. In a folding camera the combination with a lens plate and a collapsible film holdingmechanism spaced apart from said lens plate of a bellows composed of flexible material connecting said lens plate with said film holding mechanism, a door composed of flexible material integral at one side with said bellows, means connecting said door with said bellows when closed and gear, rack, and lever means for holding said lens platein certain relative position to said film holding mechanism.

6. In a folding camera the combination with a lens plate and a collapsible film holdplate ofv a bellows composed of flexible material connecting said lens plate with said film holding mechanism, a door composed of flexible material integral at one side with said bellows, means connecting said door ing mechanism spaced apart from said lens with said bellows when closed, gear, rack, and lever means for holding said lens plate in certain relative position to said film holding mechanism, and means in connection with said lm holding mechanism for marking the edge of the film.

7. In a folding camera the combination with a lens plate of a collapsible film holding mechanism spaced apart therefrom, film supporting rollers removably mounted in connection with said film holding mechanism, intermediate film supports mounted on said film holding mechanism and means for cutting the edge of the film mounted on said film holding mechanism.

S. In a folding camera the combination with a collapsible lm holding mechanism of oppositely disposed film roller supports, film supports mounted adjacent thereto adapted to be removed from said adjacent position at one of their ends to facilitate the placingl of the film and intermediate supports for the edges of said film when in position for use.

9. In a folding camera the combination with a collapsible film holding mechanism of a pyramidal shaped frame two of the braces of which are collapsible, a flexible covering for covering said pyramidal shaped frame and said collapsible mechanism, a lens plate mounted on the opposite end of said braces to said collapsible film holding mechanism, means for regulating said lens plate, consisting of levers pivotally connected to the one end of said frame members and gear and rack means in connection with said levers whereby saitL lens plate is held in certain relative position to said collapsible film holding mechanism.

l0. In a folding camera the combination of a collapsible film holding mechanism, rollers for supporting said film at each side thereof, intermediate means for holding said film consisting of a groove member and another groove member in alinement therewith adapted to telescope over said first mentioned groove member when said collapsible member is folded to a certain position.

11. In a folding camera the combination with a collapsible film holding mechanism of a plurality of supports .for said film and means for notching the edge of said film consisting of a shaft provided with a notch adapted for the transverse movement of the edge of the film therein, its one end extending out through the outer surface of the camera and a hollow shaft in which said first mentioned shaft is revolubly mounted provided with a like notch therein so that when the sha-ft extending to the outer surface of the camera is turned, a notch is cut in the edge of the film.

12. In a folding camera the combination with a lens plate and a collapsible film holding mechanism spgiaced apart from said lens plate of a flexible material connecting said lens plate with said film holding mechanism, a door composed ofA flexible material integral at one side with said bellows for providing access to the interior of said bellows.

13. In a folding camera the combination with an automatically controlled lens plate of' a collapsible film holding mechanism spaced apart from said lens plate of a bellows composed of flexible material connecting said lens plate with said film holding mechanism, a collapsible frame for supporting said lens plate, said film holding mechanism and said bellows.

14. In a folding camera the combination with a lens plate and a collapsible film holding mechanism spaced apart therefrom of a bellows composed of flexible material con` necting said lens plate with said film holding mechanism, a door composed of flexible material integral at one side with said bellows for providing access to the interior of said bellows, means for holding one side of said bellows in rigid position and readily removable collapsible means f'or supporting the other side of said bellows in a rigid position, whereby when said means is removed said side will collapse and fold together.

15. In a folding camera the combination with a lens plate and a collapsible film holding mechanism spaced apart therefrom of a bellows composed of flexible material connecting said lens plate with said film holding mechanism, a door composed of fieXible material integral at one side with said bellows for providing access to the interior of said bellows, means for holding one Side of said bellows in. rigid position and readily removable collapsible means for supper-tin the other side of said bellows in a rigid pos1- tion, whereby when said means is removed said side will collapse and fold together, and means in connection with the means for holding said bellows in a rigid position for supporting said lens relatively to Said collapsible film holding mechanism.

1G. .ln a folding camera the combination with a lens plate and a collapsible film holding mechanism spaced apart from said lens plate ofI a bellows composed of flexible material connecting said lens plate with said film holding mechanism, a door composed of flexible material integral at one side with said bellows for providing access to the interior of said bellows, means for holding one side of said bellows in rigid position and readily removable and collapsible means for supporting the other side of said bellows in a rigid position at times, whereby when said means is removed said side will collapse and fold together and means in connection with the collapsible film holding mechanism for slitting the side of the film.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRANK HEATH. wWitnesses ABRAM B. BowMAN, LUnLLA VARE.

Copies of this Apatent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

